When You Have To Practice What You Preach

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2 - 4

I love being a Pastor and I love God's Word. However sometimes I don't always like being a Pastor who has to practice what I preach from God's Word. I say this only half jokingly. Recently I began a series on the book of James. This Epistle was written to Christian Jews who were being persecuted (not to the point of death but more like being ostracized from society). James (probably the brother of Jesus) tells his readers in the second verse of chapter one to count it all joy when they meet various trials. This is, for me, probably one of the hardest passages to preach on because I have a hard time actually doing it and I also know that after I preach on it various trials will come my way.

Recently I have been facing some trials in my own life both physical and spiritual and am finding it difficult to find joy in all this. I am encouraged as I continue in this passage as I am reminded that when I do find joy in trials my faith ultimately is strengthened or as James writes the testing of faith produces steadfastness. Steadfast is defined as, "dutifully firm and unwavering". I need to be completely reminded that in my trials I will emerge a stronger and better follower of Christ. I think this truth is the only thing that helps me get through my trials.